Sindi took me out of res and the first place we went to, was a student centre. I have never seen anything like this before. It was like a mini mall for students. There was a mini supermarket, restaurants, stationery stores, doctors, hair salons…the works. The place was full of vibe. The pressure though, it's like everyone was dressed to kill and beautiful and with my simple plain t-shirt and jeans. Ladies with weaves, proper make-up, expensive shoes, clothes and to top it off the way they spoke about their lives. It was like it was a school of celebrities. At least I could spot some students who were plain like me.
"Oh, those are the freshers…Just look at them with student cards hanging around their necks like cows. This is varsity they should know things are different," said Sindi.
"But I don't know what's wrong with that," I replied.
"Don't worry you will soon see it yourself. You will get to understand why some people do weird things like it's something normal. I don't want you to see things from my perspective, but you will see," she said.
"Okay…So what are you studying?" I asked.
"I am studying Economics, wena what will you be studying this year?" she asked with a smile.
"Civil engineering," I said grinning with so much pride when saying it.
"Wow…girl you brave. I heard that the course chows people and many people drop out within first semester. Not that I am trying to discourage you, in fact I wish you all the best. I mean I am doing a wonderful course, yes it's hard but I did pass it. Oh…I just love the commerce field," she said beaming extremely and almost looked like she was daydreaming.
I don't know why but there was something in the way she said it, like there was more to it than just her studying this course. Maybe I was reading much into things and I shouldn't. Either way, I just met her, and I should probably wait for her to let me in her space. It's not like I also like being crowded in my own space. I just took it this way if I had to know then I would know. There was no need for me to be curious over this.
She took me to a supermarket and asked:
"What do you want me to buy for you?"
"Didn't you say that you have food at your room, how can I buy something if there is food? I am fine thanks," I said.
"No, I meant snacks or anything to drink maybe," she said.
"I don't want you to waste your money, it's fine, I will be fine. Besides, I bought a 5-litre juice and at least I can be able to dilute it," I said.
"You are a very disciplined girl, I like that. Still, I am buying you snacks and a drink," she said smiling at me.
"Thank you Sindi…" I said sceptically.
"Believe me, I don't have much friends because they think I am a bookworm. I love reading and it keeps me sane," she said smiling back for reassurance.
"Really? I also loved reading. It's just that I couldn't do much reading at home due to the responsibilities that I had. With my mom mostly away due to work," I explained.
"Maybe now you will get to have some time to yourself and read. I have a library of books in my suitcase I can borrow you, if you have spare time you can read them," she said still smiling.
"I would love that," I beamed.
Indeed, she bought me 3 packs of snacks and 2 bottles of 2 litre of cooldrinks. Though I tried telling her that it wasn't necessary for her to do so, she insisted. Living me with no choice but to agree. Sindi was very persuasive, I could tell that it was either her way or no way at all. Another thing I realised is that she came from a rich family, yet she was down to earth. She never made me feel that I came from a poor background, in fact it was like she wanted me not to feel inferior around her.
After the student centre, she took me to the library. It was so huge, and I loved the interior design was future-forward and the technology was insane. Okay maybe insane is a little overly exaggerated but I loved how you didn't have to wait on cues to check out books and that self-service machine. Also, that there was a machine you could use to identify where you can find a book that you want and if it was available. The silence of the library was the other thing I absolutely loved. I have always desired a quiet place to study.
Back at home it was difficult to study during the day with the work I had to do and my siblings being the loudest Neo and Bonolo were the culprit. I could understand with Neo because naturally his voice was loud. As for Bonolo, I just couldn't get why would she always copy Neo. To top it off, Neo was clumsy which basically means everything he did or said was loud-literally. It was quite easy to locate him whereabouts in the house. My mom even grew tired of complaining of the things he broke in the house. Now finally, I can read either in my room or in the library. (Sigh) I think I am going to like my varsity years…
"I can see how you are looking at it…it's very quiet in a nice way isn't it?" whispered Sindi.
"Very much…" I whispered back.
We walked around and a few students were already reading, and there I was thinking classes were starting the following day. After walking around the library, climbing up and down its nicely designed stairs, looked over the shelves (though I have no idea why I did that), we walked out of the library. A part of me wanted to stay there…embracing the smell of books, knowledge and mostly it's serenity that comes from the silence. I could be able to even hear my thoughts when in this place.
"Sindi," I called her out.
"Yes Lebo," she said turning to me to pay attention.
"Why are there so many students studying even before classes start?" I asked.
"Because they are preparing themselves…Well to put it out there bluntly, they failed. Schoolwork can be overwhelming in a sense that if you lose focus you might find yourself here. I almost failed too last year during the mid-exams," she explained.
My shock made to be involuntary silent even though I had so many questions to ask. Sindi also took me to beautiful open spaces with green grass and amazing views. Yet, another place I can used to study or read. I could feel even the breeze and I felt the chills. Not sure if it was the cool breeze creating them or was it just me being overwhelmed about how perfect this varsity is. We sat on the grass and Sindi opened one of her snacks, it looked like a healthy snack with greens and small pieces of meat.
"Do you want some?" she asked.
"No thanks…You also one of those ladies who hit the gym and diet?" I asked.
"Yes, but not willingly," she said pulling up a face.
"Why do you do it then?" I asked.
"Because my parents are public figures and my mom is so obsessed with me not being 'obese'…I know I get fat easily but now I am forced to eat healthy," she said.
"But she is not here, you can eat whatever you want," I said.
"Ugh got used to eating these…Actually let me make it clearer, I eat whatever I like when in res. I hate diet food, except these...You want to know why? Because they make me maintain weight and on top of that it's just tasty. Don't you want to taste?" She asked already shoving the folk in my mouth.
"Mm…you right this is so nice…" I said.
"Luckily, I have 2 you can have this one, it's still sealed," she said handing it to me and then we ate.
After finishing eating we strolled around the campus. Sindi showed me all the faculty buildings-including where I was going. The excitement I felt when seeing my building…I just couldn't wait to get in class tomorrow and start learning. I have always been interested in engineering. My passion was ignited by this one movie of a strong African woman who was a civil engineer and from then I just wanted to become one. Moreover, I like challenging the norms and doing things that were unexpected by the society. I have this urge of wanting to prove people wrong. After acquiring this degree, I wanted to make an impact in the industry that was male dominated. Mme Morena never understood why I chose to be an engineer instead of being either a nurse or a teacher, but eventually she agreed…reluctantly so.
We walked around the entire campus and it was getting dark…Before going back to my room we went to dish out Sindi's food like she said and then we ate. It was chicken and Dumpling. The food was mouth-watering, and I couldn't even pause for one bit till my last bite. That is just how I am, they say that I eat like a man. One of the sexist ideas that I never understood. What's wrong if I didn't eat like a 'woman', does it make me less woman maybe? Nope it doesn't, so I will binge every time and I will eat as much as possible. Plus, I loved good food, that's why I was such a great cook.
"Mm you are a great cook Sindi," I said after having my last bite and handing over the plate to her.
"Oh, I wish I could take the credit but the domestic worker from at home did the cooking. I am not allowed to do any house chores at home," she said placing the plates over the counter.
"So, when at home what do you do?" I asked.
"I read a lot and I also pamper myself…It's my mom's rule, she always says that I should take care of myself in style," she said.
"Oh. okay then, my mother is also a domestic worker. Sometimes the things that she does for that family makes me sad because she never does them for us. She always places us last and with that family is always a priority," I explained.
"Oh dear, I am so sorry to hear that," she said.
I couldn't help but notice that her sorry wasn't entirely genuine, she never understood what I meant, after all she is from a rich family. The perspective she knows about domestic workers is only as staff and not as parents. The pain I felt every time I pictured my mother saying "yes mam" to someone younger than her and cleaning up after people's mess, only I understood better than anyone. Oh, and I felt it…seeing her wake up in the early hours just to get to work on time. I doubt Sindi even had an idea about what I was talking about and going through based on that.
"How about we wash the dishes now, I mean it's getting late and classes start at 8," I said.
"Oh no…Don't worry about them I will do them some other time," she said removing a piece of meat in between the teeth.
"Okay if you tired I will wash them, I don't mind," I said standing up from the sit.
"Okay then let me help you, I feel bad as it is that you offered to wash dishes alone," she said also standing.
We took the dishes to the kitchen. I noticed that she never locked the door when we left her room.
"Aren't you going to lock your door? What if someone enters and steals your things?" I asked I am pretty sure that my eyes were wide open.
"What if they do? There's nothing here that I can't replace at the tip of my fingers. The only thing that I would complain about is my phone because tracking it down is such an emotional draining process. Buying another phone is also a problem, I will have to wait for 2 days for a shipping of a new phone," she said as we entered the kitchen.
We then washed the dishes, dried them and after that we went back to her room to pack them. When she opened the door, we found that same white guy lying comfortably on Sindi's bed. Clearly their bond was special or maybe they were dating. I wouldn't dream of dating white men though imagine my coffee colour skin will just make me black. Sindi walked in and she didn't even look shocked by him being there and so comfortable.
"Two visits in one day, to what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked beaming from ear to ear.
"I was just bored of staring the walls, could you please lend me books to read," he said smiling at her.
"Oops where are my manners? Matt I am sure you already bumped into each other already but not officially met…This is Lebogang, but you can call her Lebo," she said pointing at me.
"Don't worry she did introduce herself already, what I would like to know is why did you run away the way you did Lebo?" he said chuckling.
"Sorry about my behaviour earlier on, I was just shocked, and I panicked. Sindi explained to me later what was happening," I said and smiled back.
"No problem it's cool, just never do that again because you scared me. For a moment I also thought I was an intruder," he chuckled, and we all laughed.
"Okay these books I read already, and these one I still will read. So, you can share from the ones I have already read," she said placing a large suitcase of books.
"I knew you said you read but I didn't think you were a bookworm," I teased.
"Yes, she reads…and she is very fast too," said Matt smiling and looking at her.
I could tell already that either there was something that happened, or there was something happening between them. However, when you are Mme Morena's daughter, you can only find out about something when it comes to you. 'You don't go and sniff around people's matters especially when they don't concern you' those were Mme's favourite words. After picking books that I thought were interesting I realised that time flew. It was already 10 pm.
"Gosh, is this the time? I need to get going bye…" I said before being cut off.
"Wait, is there anything else you need Matt?" asked Sindi.
"Yes, a goodnight kiss," he said going closer to her, this was so embarrassing to see.
"Stop it Matt…we have company," she said pushing him away.
"Oh…sorry about that…No there's nothing else that I need. I guess we can both leave madam to have her place to herself," he said indicating we should go.
"Goodnight guys," said Sindi who was turning red from blushing, plus she is light skinned.
"Okay…this is where I stay," I said pointing at my room.
"So, you also read?" he turned to ask me when we arrived by my door.
"Yeah, and I am planning to read more than ever," I said.
"Be careful not to fall behind with your schoolwork though," he explained.
Now that I could look at him, he was actually very cute. His muscles you could tell that he was lifting weights from time to time. His face very welcoming and I could now tell that he is an intellect. The blue eyes somehow revealed his genuineness, that he was someone full of love and empathy. With an average height yet tall to me because I was below average. His hair was blonde.
"Okay I won't," I said opening the door.
"Goodnight…" he said and went to the lift.
When I entered the room, I saw my phone flashing. It was only then that I realised that I left it and I was supposed to call my mom. She probably panicked with me not answering because she easily does. I guess I took after her, panicking was our worse enemy. It made us do stupid things in a stupid way, leaving us with embarrassment once the panic passes. I tried to call her, but she was not picking up, I guess she decided to sleep. Besides, she still had to go to work on the following day.
I then packed everything I thought I would need for tomorrow's class. After that I took a shower-at least I didn't find anyone in the bathroom. Then I came back to my room already with my PJs, locked the door and entered in between blankets…
(lights out)